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168 comments
1 First As Tragedy, Then As Farce  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:23:51pm

Has the first hate mail started coming in yet?

2 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:24:50pm

Good stuff. Tech writing in journalism is generally second only to science writing in pure crappiness.

The writing on this story got off to a bad start from Greenwald, who was either just way in over his head technically or outright mendacious, hard to tell with a dude like Mr. Sockpuppet.

3 Romantic Heretic  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:25:13pm

Good one, Charles.

4 Dr Lizardo  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:27:17pm

Very good article, Charles. Kudos.

5 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:27:54pm

Greenwald just leaked a bunch more stuff about FISA court submissions.

6 EPR-radar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:28:08pm

re: #2 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut

Good stuff. Tech writing in journalism is generally second only to science writing in pure crappiness.

The writing on this story got off to a bad start from Greenwald, who was either just way in over his head technically or outright mendacious, hard to tell with a dude like Mr. Sockpuppet.

From my own background, I can usually spot bad reporting for science or law stories. Since these errors are so egregious, I now assume that reporting is usually all screwed up if it touches on any area where subject matter expertise is relevant.

In other words, the mainstream media is apparently capable of no reporting more demanding than he-said she-said on a celebrity scandal.

7 freetoken  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:29:24pm

Needs some tech editing, such as the extra close paren.

8 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:30:05pm

Could have written a lot more on the subject, but I was bumping up against the word limit already.

10 Gus  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:31:20pm

Good one Charles. Hope the comments there don’t get populated with deranged ones that’ll start commenting on your cycling habits and ponytail if you know what I mean.

11 lawhawk  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:32:37pm

Nice piece Charles. Definitely called attention to the key problems - not only did media outlets publish before doing their due diligence, but they provided outrageous outrage headlines in search for the eyeballs, rather than doing the work to indicate that the blockbuster was something much less. And that Socky McSockpuppet lacked the critical expertise to evaluate the content of the slides or the IT terms involved also fed into the media outlets initially making a whole lot more out of the claims than there actually are.

12 Sol Berdinowitz  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:33:04pm

I sent a copy to my computer geek bassist friend (who is also half Greek) to see if it makes G(r)eek sense to him…

13 freetoken  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:34:01pm

Congrats on getting on the Daily Beast roll. Are you going to do others for them?

14 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:34:36pm

BTW, that wasn’t my title - the part about “What you don’t know.” It’s now being changed to something a bit less lecture-y.

15 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:35:01pm

re: #13 freetoken

Congrats on getting on the Daily Beast roll. Are you going to do others for them?

It was mentioned.

16 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:36:15pm

There we go, that’s better: “A Geek’s Guide to the NSA Scandal: What You May Not Know About Data Collection.”

17 Kragar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:37:17pm

re: #16 Charles Johnson

There we go, that’s better: “A Geek’s Guide to the NSA Scandal: What You May Not Know About Data Collection.”

Better.

18 Kragar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:39:39pm

Dozens of Anti-Gay Activists Vow to Resist Any SCOTUS Ruling In Favor of Marriage Equality

As the nation awaits the Supreme Court’s rulings on two high-profile marriage equality cases, several dozen Religious Right activists have signed on to a “Marriage Solidarity Statement” that was drafted by Liberty Counsel’s Mat Staver and Deacon Keith Fournier, vowing to resist any rulingn favor of equality.

This who’s who of anti-gay activists has collectively declared that they “will not stand by while the destruction of the institution of marriage unfolds in this nation we love” because “this is the line we must draw and one we cannot and will not cross”
…
Considering that Staver and others who signed this declaration have predicted that any ruling in favor of gay marriage will lead to civil war, one has to wonder just how these anti-gay activists intend to resist any such ruling.

19 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:41:22pm

BAM. He made the GOP look bad. He’s got to go. Republican Official Resigns Over Racist Email.

The chairman of the Republican party in Montgomery County, IL, has resigned over a racist email.

Jim Allen left his office after a firestorm erupted over an email he sent attacking former Miss America and GOP House candidate Erika Harold.

20 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:42:26pm

re: #19 Charles Johnson

BAM. He made the GOP look bad. He’s got to go. Republican Official Resigns Over Racist Email.

How come the GOP Congress hasn’t been forced to resign, then?

21 Kragar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:42:49pm

re: #19 Charles Johnson

BAM. He made the GOP look bad. He’s got to go. Republican Official Resigns Over Racist Email.

I’m sure he’ll be taken care of by his buddies.

22 Sol Berdinowitz  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:43:04pm

re: #19 Charles Johnson

BAM. He made the GOP look bad. He’s got to go. Republican Official Resigns Over Racist Email.

Shame that his resignation will remain an isolated incident in the face of nearly daily comments of a similar nature by his party colleagues.

23 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:44:12pm

re: #19 Charles Johnson

BAM. He made the GOP look bad. He’s got to go. Republican Official Resigns Over Racist Email.

Then why is Rush Limbaugh still allowed to associate with the GOP, much less be consulted with on various stuff?

Because he pulls a lot of water, and this guy doesn’t pull shit.

24 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:44:32pm

You know, maybe this is what they meant by their New Minority Outreach - have some crazy shithead say something absolutely outrageous, then make him resign so the rest of the GOP looks sane by comparison.

25 Political Atheist  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:47:31pm

Liked and shared. Nice job clearing the air.

26 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:48:00pm
27 Mattand  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:48:12pm

re: #19 Charles Johnson

BAM. He made the GOP look bad. He’s got to go. Republican Official Resigns Over Racist Email.

Love Reince Preibus’s comment:

“The astonishingly offensive views expressed by Chairman Allen have absolutely no place among the leaders of our party at any level. His behavior is inexcusable and must not be tolerated. He should apologize to Erika Harold and resign immediately,

Translation:

For fuck’s sake, people; we’re trying to pretend we’re not racist mouthbreathers. Stop saying this stuff in public.

28 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:49:16pm

Former leader of the “Minutemen” arrested for child molestation

29 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:51:05pm

re: #23 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut

Then why is Rush Limbaugh still allowed to associate with the GOP, much less be consulted with on various stuff?

Because he pulls a lot of water, and this guy doesn’t pull shit.

Also, this guy’s mistake was to use racist language against a GOP minority candidate. It’s not like they have a lot of those.

30 Sol Berdinowitz  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:51:59pm

re: #28 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance

Former leader of the “Minutemen” arrested for child molestation

All that passion for his country must have gotten the best of him…

31 Kragar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:53:15pm

re: #26 Charles Johnson

On April 11, 2012, Glendon Crawford — who went by his middle name, Scott — walked into an Albany, N.Y., synagogue and asked if there was anyone around to talk to him about a technology that could be used by Israel to defeat its enemies.

Because Israelis keep all their top secret weapons tech at a synagogue in Albany.

32 erik_t  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:53:17pm

re: #26 Charles Johnson

Sounds like “plan” might be a rather strong word for this pair of idiots. TPM might as well have said they were planning on building a phaser.

33 Dr Lizardo  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:54:04pm

re: #30 Sol Berdinowitz

All that passion for his country must have gotten the bet of him…

Liberty!! Freedom!! Border Security!! Little girls!!

////

34 freetoken  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:54:51pm

Interesting videos over there:

Cannes 2013: Evolutionary Biologist Richard Dawkins Opens Saatchi’s Annual New Directors Showcase

35 Kragar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:55:14pm

re: #33 Dr Lizardo

Liberty!! Freedom!! Border Security!! Little girls!!

////

You made me do this.

Youtube Video

36 Mattand  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:55:28pm

re: #31 Kragar

Because Israelis keep all their top secret weapons tech at a synagogue in Albany.

Hide in plain sight! It’s so crazy, it might just never work!

37 Varek Raith  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:57:02pm

re: #26 Charles Johnson

O_o

38 EPR-radar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:57:33pm

re: #29 Charles Johnson

Also, this guy’s mistake was to use racist language against a GOP minority candidate. It’s not like they have a lot of those.

On the plus side, the ones they do have are probably very understanding about small, unintentional, lapses like these.

39 Sol Berdinowitz  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:58:00pm

re: #31 Kragar

Because Israelis keep all their top secret weapons tech at a synagogue in Albany.

The point being that all Jews are part of the International Zionist World Domination Conspiracy, every Synagogue is just a branch office.

/

40 Dr Lizardo  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:58:17pm

re: #35 Kragar

You made me do this.

LOLOLOL. That took me back; Oingo Boingo.

41 AntonSirius  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:59:05pm

re: #18 Kragar

Dozens of Anti-Gay Activists Vow to Resist Any SCOTUS Ruling In Favor of Marriage Equality

So, they’re going to barricade city halls with their bodies across the country then?

No? Wimps.

42 freetoken  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 1:59:45pm

The New Directors Showcase youtube page:

youtube.com

43 Kragar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:00:30pm

re: #36 Mattand

Hide in plain sight! It’s so crazy, it might just never work!

In related news, I think I’ll swing by Panda Express and ask how the latest generation of Chinese fighter jets are coming along.

44 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:00:44pm

re: #30 Sol Berdinowitz

well if those scary illegal imgrants are coming for our children this guy just wanted to protect them for himself

//

45 Gus  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:01:04pm

Results for guillotines obama

46 freetoken  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:01:18pm

“Nabil: Antony and the Johnsons - ‘Cut the World’ :

Youtube Video

47 Stanghazi  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:04:00pm

Kudos Charles!

48 blueraven  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:04:11pm

re: #45 Gus

Results for guillotines obama

WTF? Obama has guillotines? cool /

49 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:04:22pm

re: #45 Gus

Results for guillotines obama

Someone just told me about it. I already checked Snopes, it’s (shockingly) not true.

50 Gus  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:05:29pm

re: #49 Eclectic Cyborg

Someone just told me about it. I already checked Snopes, it’s (shockingly) not true.

U DUMB LIBTARD SNOPES IZ OWNED BY GEORGE SOROS AND IT LIES ALL THE TIME!!11TY

//

51 Mattand  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:07:23pm

re: #45 Gus

Results for guillotines obama

Oh, for God’s sake. I really hate people. If this country can get through the next 10 years without starting another Civil War, I’ll french kiss a rabid pencil sharpener.

52 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:08:01pm

re: #51 Mattand

Oh, for God’s sake. I really hate people. If this country can get through the next 10 years without starting another Civil War, I’ll french kiss a rabid pencil sharpener.

I can’t help but thinking that a civil war starting over gay marriage would make the U.S. an international laughingstock.

53 Mattand  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:09:59pm

re: #52 Eclectic Cyborg

I can’t help but thinking that a civil war starting over gay marriage would make the U.S. an international laughingstock.

Because a nuclear armed superpower where half the population thinks the Garden of Eden was real isn’t reason enough.

54 Lancelot Link  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:10:35pm

You know, I think the reason this NSA story is so popular, and so hard to effectively debunk, is that a lot of people complaining about it really want it to be true. They secretly like the idea that they’re important enough that the Govt wants to spy on them, and they resent the idea that the Govt has no interest whatsoever in their banal emails and phone calls.

55 Sol Berdinowitz  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:10:35pm

re: #51 Mattand

Oh, for God’s sake. I really hate people. If this country can get through the next 10 years without starting another Civil War, I’ll french kiss a rabid pencil sharpener.

I really do worry that this nation is going to grow ungovernable by the end of the next decade…all we need is one major natural and/or man-made catastrophe that requires the government to declare martial law over a large area, and there will be people rising up in arms to defend themselves against the perceived threat.

56 Dr. Matt  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:13:23pm
57 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:14:26pm

re: #54 Lancelot Link

You know, I think the reason this NSA story is so popular, and so hard to effectively debunk, is that a lot of people complaining about it really want it to be true. They secretly like the idea that they’re important enough that the Govt wants to spy on them, and they resent the idea that the Govt has no interest whatsoever in their banal emails and phone calls.

And that’s confirmation bias at work.

58 Gus  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:15:56pm
59 Political Atheist  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:16:53pm

What should we make of this? Mere posturing or take it a bit more seriously?

AFP - The US government’s secret seizure of Associated Press phone records had a “chilling effect” on newsgathering by the agency and other news organizations, AP’s top executive said Wednesday.

“Some longtime trusted sources have become nervous and anxious about talking with us,” AP president and chief executive Gary Pruitt said in a speech to the National Press Club.

“In some cases, government employees we once checked in with regularly will no longer speak to us by phone. Others are reluctant to meet in person … This chilling effect on newsgathering is not just limited to AP.

“Journalists from other news organizations have personally told me that it has intimidated both official and nonofficial sources from speaking to them as well.”

60 Lancelot Link  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:17:23pm

re: #45 Gus

Results for guillotines obama

Now I know I’ve been reading this shit too long - I guessed “retired FBI agent” was Ted Gunderson before I even clicked the link. What a loon!

61 Gus  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:17:30pm

Probably says that on Snopes.

62 Gus  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:18:46pm

re: #60 Lancelot Link

Now I know I’ve been reading this shit too long - I guessed “retired FBI agent” was Ted Gunderson before I even clicked the link. What a loon!

Ted Gunderson

Post-FBI

After retiring from the FBI, Gunderson, set up a private investigation firm, Ted L. Gunderson and Associates, in Santa Monica. In 1980, he became a defense investigator for Green Beret Doctor Jeffrey R. MacDonald, who had been convicted of the 1970 murders of his pregnant wife and two daughters. Gunderson obtained affidavits from Helena Stoeckley confessing to her involvement in the murders.[8]

He also investigated a child molestation trial in Manhattan Beach California. In a 1995 conference in Dallas, Gunderson warned about the proliferation of secret Satanic groups, and the danger posed by the New World Order, a shadow government that would be controlling the US government.[9] He also claimed that a “slave auction” in which children were sold to men in turbans had been held in Las Vegas, that four thousand ritual human sacrifices are performed in New York City every year, and that the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was carried out by the US government.[9] Gunderson believed that in the US there is a secret widespread network of groups who kidnap children and infants, and subject them to Satanic ritual abuse and subsequent human sacrifice.[10][11]

Gunderson, a member of the Constitution Party, died on July 31, 2011 due to arsenic poisoning like symptoms.

63 darthstar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:20:20pm

Congrats, Charles…I hope they paid you for it.

64 Gus  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:20:22pm

re: #62 Gus

Ted Gunderson

This also sounds like BS:

Gunderson, a member of the Constitution Party, died on July 31, 2011 due to arsenic poisoning like symptoms.

65 Mattand  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:21:34pm

re: #64 Gus

This also sounds like BS:

That’s just what they want you to think!

66 Dr Lizardo  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:21:34pm

re: #62 Gus

Wow. Sounds like ole’ Ted was Grade-A+ batshit.

Sorta like General Jack D. Ripper crazy.

67 freetoken  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:22:13pm

So, now we know how sentencing will be carried out at all those FEMA!! camps.

68 Gus  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:22:24pm

re: #65 Mattand

That’s just what they want you to think!

With much sadness I have to inform everyone that Ted Gunderson, friend and colleague of the Civilian Intelligence Network, has lost his battle with cancer and has passed away on July 31, 2011.

69 Gus  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:22:46pm

Fooking Wikipedia.

70 Sol Berdinowitz  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:22:55pm

heat wave has finally broken here in Germany, thunderstorms rolling in, perfect sleeping weather…goodnight, lizards

71 nines09  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:23:06pm

Dear Charles; Bravo! You are not a geek. Trust me. Nerd? Youbetcha! Good stuff.

72 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:23:42pm

So apparently these believe the U.S. government, who was apparently unable to keep a low level 29 year-old subcontractor out of top secret NSA systems is capable of building, staffing and preparing FEMA camps and a vast secret Army all without being noticed or detected in any way.

Hmm…

73 Dr Lizardo  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:23:43pm

re: #64 Gus

This also sounds like BS:

Someone edited that…..according to this:

myfoxmemphis.com

he died of cancer, as per his son.

74 darthstar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:25:19pm
75 freetoken  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:26:10pm

re: #72 Eclectic Cyborg

… is capable of building, staffing and preparing FEMA camps and a vast secret Army …

Complete with 30,000 guillotines and who knows how many drones.

76 Gus  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:26:26pm

re: #73 Dr Lizardo

Someone edited that…..according to this:

myfoxmemphis.com

he died of cancer, as per his son.

So much derp, so little time.

77 freetoken  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:28:46pm

Speaking of racism and wingnuts, WND keeps pushing the boundaries of what they can get away with. Currently they are running with two headlines:

Paula Deen racist comments allegedly caught on video

and

ALL-WHITE TOWN FIGHTS TO KEEP SEGREGATION


Sure enough the comments are turning into the sewer, which is typical of Farah and his “journalism”.

78 abolitionist  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:29:03pm

Here’s my guide: The Official Palantir Channel
Not really mine, altho my government helped build it. Here are some specific links to get you started:
Palantir 101
Palantir at the Los Angeles Police Department
Palantir Night Live - Mike Hurley & Brian Cunningham
Understanding The Libyan Revolution Through Palantir

79 thedopefishlives  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:30:57pm

Afternoon Lizardim. Congrats Charles on an excellent article.

80 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:33:04pm

re: #75 freetoken

Complete with 30,000 guillotines and who knows how many drones.

There’s one on my street, devilishly disguised as a telephone pole.

81 freetoken  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:33:50pm

BTW, this NSA thing is turning out to be quite convenient talking point, being used by just about any to justify whatever accusation they want to make.

Thomas Sowell has jumped on it as a way to condemn Obama for, well, everything, following in the footsteps of the other “intellectual” giants of the atavistic right, such as Jonah Goldberg.

A simple three letter acronym - and it becomes the foil for the anarchist left and the atavistic right.

82 Gus  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:34:32pm

re: #80 Decatur Deb

There’s one on my street, devilishly disguised as a telephone pole.

It works by broad siding it in your car doing 80 MPH with your head sticking out.

83 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:36:06pm

Nice article, Charles. If I send you my arm, will you sign it?

84 DO WINGNUT WORDS SHOW THEY EVOLVED BRAINS?11!!  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:36:07pm

Hi everyone. Happy almost Friday!
So I was reading the comments after the article and some are as sad as I had worried they would be. WTF?

85 darthstar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:36:34pm
86 freetoken  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:36:39pm

re: #80 Decatur Deb

There’s one on my street, devilishly disguised as a telephone pole.

You mean one like this, cleverly covered in greenery to hide its real purpose?

Image: jesus_telephone_pole.jpg

87 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:36:55pm

re: #63 darthstar

Yes, indeedy.

88 darthstar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:37:42pm

Beer’s on Charles!

89 allegro  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:44:38pm

re: #88 darthstar

Beer’s on Charles!

*offering Charles a towel*

90 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:46:02pm

Avocado sandwiches for everybody!

91 thedopefishlives  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:46:29pm

Time to run off for more of a busy Thursday evening. Grats again, Charles, and for all the Lizardim, have a good night.

92 makeitstop  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:46:30pm

Why guillotines? This is the 21st Century. Hasn’t anyone told the conspiracy freaks that there are much more efficient ways to kill a bunch of people now?

93 darthstar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:47:21pm

re: #92 makeitstop

Why guillotines? This is the 21st Century. Hasn’t anyone told the conspiracy freaks that there are much more efficient ways to kill a bunch of people now?

Paula Deen’s Bacon-Cheeseburger on a glazed donut, for example.

94 allegro  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:47:23pm

re: #92 makeitstop

Why guillotines? This is the 21st Century. Hasn’t anyone told the conspiracy freaks that there are much more efficient ways to kill a bunch of people now?

Seriously. Crosses are much less costly.

95 freetoken  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:47:42pm

re: #92 makeitstop

Not if they’re zombies.

96 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:52:15pm

Guillotines for everybody!

97 freetoken  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:52:21pm

Besides Meyer’s latest book pushing IDiocy, apparently Dennis Prager had a column in NRO a couple of days ago playing up the idea of the “fine tuned” universe. He invokes that he went to a conference a week or so ago and some really smart people were there (and there were), and thus, well, God.

This NRO piece was picked up by a few creationists sites.

But, it’s still the same old problem, of arguing for creation by incredulity.

And Prager, like the IDiots, still try to confuse cause with the effect, trying to impress teleology upon the universe.

98 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:53:06pm

re: #96 Charles Johnson

Guillotines for everybody!

Come check out Big Al’s Guillotines! We’re cutting prices all over the store!

99 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:53:18pm

re: #95 freetoken

Not if they’re zombies.

That doesn’t kill them. They can still bite.

100 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:53:44pm

re: #98 Eclectic Cyborg

Come check out Big Al’s Guillotines! We’re cutting prices all over the store!

And we’ll let you eat cake!

101 makeitstop  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:54:11pm

re: #96 Charles Johnson

Guillotines for everybody!

I know a guy who does an Alice Cooper show. He could use a guillotine….


once.

102 freetoken  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:55:35pm

Mr. Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran is concerned:

McCain: Middle East about to ‘erupt’

He so wants the US to get into another war.

Why?

103 darthstar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:56:02pm

re: #102 freetoken

Mr. Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran is concerned:

McCain: Middle East about to ‘erupt’

He so wants the US to get into another war.

Why?

He should be ignored like his VP.

104 McSpiff  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:56:13pm

Nice summary Charles! As someone who actually works with Lawful Intercept tech, I was giving up hope…

105 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:56:32pm

re: #100 GeneJockey

And we’ll let you eat cake!

Knit, knit, purl. Knit, knit, purl.

106 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:56:38pm

re: #102 freetoken

Mr. Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran is concerned:
He so wants the US to get into another war.

Why?

WWII envy.

107 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:57:15pm

re: #105 Decatur Deb

Knit, knit, purl. Knit, knit, purl.

The guillotine, Evremonde! The guillotine!!!

108 dragonath  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:57:46pm

re: #102 freetoken

Mr. Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran is concerned:

McCain: Middle East about to ‘erupt’

He so wants the US to get into another war.

Why?

Because inflicting Sarah Palin on a unwitting populace did nothing to sate his sadistic tendencies.

109 darthstar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:58:21pm

So I’m guessing this is what you hinted at yesterday when you said the trolls were going to be in a bit of butt-hurt today.

110 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 2:58:27pm

re: #107 GeneJockey

The guillotine, Evremonde! The guillotine!!!

“What’s a revolution without general copulation?”

111 otoc  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:00:02pm
Without further ado, my first piece for The Daily Beast: A Geek’s Guide to the NSA Scandal.

From one ex-artist turned geek to another—nice. These points need to be made and based on your posts there plenty of items for the future. Even a lot of supposed tech writers are missing the boat for the real points to be made and regurgitating/repackaging original articles. But you made that point too.

On the geek front—ever consider a quote/respond button on the original post that feeds into the comment section? For those on-topic responses from lazy people like me?

112 Kragar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:00:14pm

Family Research Councils Prayer Targets

Abolish the IRS - In light of revelations that some 500+ conservative, pro-life and Christian organizations have been targeted by the IRS for unique, unfair, and illegal treatment, Tony Perkins has called for the abolishment of the IRS. Obamacare, which will begin to be implemented in full force just months from now, will use an army of some 17,000 additional IRS agents to enforce its provisions, including the imposition of fines, and potentially imprisonment. Tony believes now is the time both to stop the encroachment on Americans’ fundamental liberty and to reform the tax system (Perkins).

May God stir the American people to say “no more” to illicit and unconstitutional acts against the American people by an out of control, politically motivated government! May the American people recognize that the scandals will only multiply if they remain passive. Following repentance at Call2Fall on Sunday, June 30, may Americans rise from their knees on Independence Day, determined to use their citizenship righteously to defend faith, family, freedom and property, while we still can (Dan 3:16-18; 6:7-18; Acts 5:29; Gal 5:1).

113 McSpiff  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:00:40pm

re: #104 McSpiff

Nice summary Charles! As someone who actually works with Lawful Intercept tech, I was giving up hope…

Also, while not involved with PRISM or anything that important, I don’t mind answering questions about the general architecture used by device manufacturers, some of the standards, things like CALEA, etc

114 Kragar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:02:49pm

Bryan Fischer Said the Atheist Hotline Fundraiser was ‘Doomed to Fail’… Guess We Proved Him Wrong Again

This is Christian leader Bryan Fischer, talking about the Atheist Hotline Project more than two weeks ago:

When asked by [the Christian Post] if he felt the atheist group would reach their fundraising goal, Fischer replied that “this effort is doomed to fail.”

“I can’t imagine a more fruitless and depressing endeavor than trying to raise money to help people create distance between themselves and God,” said Fischer. “God isn’t going anywhere, and the Scriptures make clear in places like Psalm 139 that’s impossible to flee the presence of God even if you want to. He will always stand ready to draw near to anyone who wants to draw near to him, no matter how far from him they’ve tried to get.”

And here’s the Hotline Project as of last night:

Thanks to your overwhelming support and generosity, we are thrilled to announce we have met our goal of raising $30,000 well ahead of our June 30th deadline, and we are now ready to launch the second phase of The Hotline Project: gathering and training volunteers.

115 EPR-radar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:03:15pm

re: #112 Kragar

May God bestir himself to no longer suffer the existence of hateful US ‘preachers’.

I’m not picky. A reverse rapture straight to Hell, or lightning bolts from a clear sky are both fine with me.

116 Gus  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:04:27pm
117 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:04:59pm

re: #115 EPR-radar

May God bestir himself to no longer suffer the existence of hateful US ‘preachers’.

I’m not picky. A reverse rapture straight to Hell, or lightning bolts from a clear sky are both fine with me.

Paralyzed larynx, anyone?

118 freetoken  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:05:01pm

Snowjob’s paradise:

Hong Kong Man Arrested for Cursing China’s President with Graffiti

Another story from a few months earlier:

Hong Kong Activist Jailed for Burning Chinese Flag

Quite the freedom loving paradise.

119 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:07:21pm

re: #118 freetoken

Hong Kong Activist Jailed for Burning Chinese Flag

I’m curious what the Wingnuts who advocate for an amendment to the Constitution to ban flag burning respond to that.

120 McSpiff  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:07:33pm

re: #116 Gus

Interesting that he’s distancing himself from the G20 article.

121 EPR-radar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:09:02pm

re: #118 freetoken

Picking on Snowflake is entertaining enough, but I am disappointed that this kind of circus is apparently what it takes to get some long-standing concerns by real people (i.e., members of Intelligence committees in Congress) addressed at all.

122 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:09:30pm

re: #120 McSpiff

Interesting that he’s distancing himself from the G20 article.

He’s afraid of the issue, and he should be. He’s been skating on the edge of the law with all of this, and he knows that would probably cause the ice to break.

123 McSpiff  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:10:30pm

re: #122 Charles Johnson

He’s afraid of the issue, and he should be. He’s been skating on the edge of the law with all of this, and he knows that would probably cause the ice to break.

Does he have reason to care? Would there be any precedent for an extradition over something like this? (Serious questions)

124 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:11:39pm

Stalkers now showing up at the Daily Beast, right on cue.

125 Walking Spanish Down the Hall  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:12:35pm

Has no one mentioned that the guillotines mentioned are only 8”high and designed to snip cigars?

126 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:13:27pm

re: #125 Walking Spanish Down the Hall

Has no one mentioned that the guillotines mentioned are only 8”high and designed to snip cigars?

Even more frightening!! Sometimes a cigar is not just a cigar.

127 Gus  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:13:27pm

re: #124 Charles Johnson

Stalkers now showing up at the Daily Beast, right on cue.

Totally off-topic right?

128 Eclectic Cyborg  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:14:40pm

re: #125 Walking Spanish Down the Hall

Has no one mentioned that the guillotines mentioned are only 8”high and designed to snip cigars?

They were probably left overs from the Clinton administration.

129 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:16:09pm

I answered a couple of comments there, but I never reply to stalkers, so if you don’t see me answer their ridiculous claims, that’s why.

130 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:16:14pm

re: #124 Charles Johnson

Stalkers now showing up at the Daily Beast, right on cue.

Good. The world must see their iron-bound logic and soaring prose.

131 b.d.  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:16:26pm

Great article Mr. Johnson, congratulations and thank you for educating.

132 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:17:12pm

re: #125 Walking Spanish Down the Hall

Has no one mentioned that the guillotines mentioned are only 8”high and designed to snip cigars?

Like this?

A little snip!

133 McSpiff  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:18:56pm

As someone from an allied country, can I just say how much I appreciate US surveillance in general? See:

Communication Security Establishment, Canada’s NSA:

Canada has close intelligence relationships with the US, the UK, Australia and New Zealand, dating to the Second World War.

…

Canada benefits immeasurably from this allied partnering arrangement.

Or

NORAD

The NORAD & USNORTHCOM Vision: With our trusted partners, we will defend North America by outpacing all threats, maintaining faith with our people and supporting them in their times of greatest need.

Or

NATO

Etc, Etc, Etc

134 otoc  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:20:57pm

re: #126 Decatur Deb

Even more frightening!! Sometimes a cigar is not just a cigar.

Could be handy for this routine…

135 Romantic Heretic  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:21:46pm

re: #125 Walking Spanish Down the Hall

Has no one mentioned that the guillotines mentioned are only 8”high and designed to snip cigars?

They’re handy for getting recalcitrant informants to talk. Fingers fit in them quite nicely.

136 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:22:32pm

re: #134 otoc

Could be handy for this routine…

Heh. I remember the “diamond cutter’ advert it lampoons.

137 darthstar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:23:22pm

re: #116 Gus

138 Political Atheist  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:23:26pm

re: #129 Charles Johnson

Have you seen the Google search page today?

Security and privacy are not optional. Stand with a broad coalition to demand that the NSA stop watching us: stopwatching.us

Unwarranted government surveillance is an intrusion on basic human rights that threatens the very foundations of a democratic society.
Tim Berners Lee Wired
Stop Watching Us.
The revelations about the National Security Agency’s surveillance apparatus, if true, represent a stunning abuse of our basic rights. We demand the U.S. Congress reveal the full extent of the NSA’s spying programs.
Read the full letter to US Congress

139 otoc  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:24:32pm

re: #136 Decatur Deb

Sad to say I also remember.

140 abolitionist  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:24:34pm

re: #135 Romantic Heretic

They’re handy for getting recalcitrant informants to talk. Fingers fit in them quite nicely.

Ok, so our new digital age has some downside. [edits]

141 freetoken  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:25:07pm

re: #138 Political Atheist

The report of 30,000 guillotines, if true, represent a stunning abuse of our basic rights.

142 Political Atheist  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:26:53pm

re: #141 freetoken

Um, methinks the service is quite uncomfortable with a number of issues, quite aside from PRISM. Of course they took a big PR hit too. Seems unfair to lump Google in with the freepers or whoever runs with that other more far fetched garbage.

143 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:27:59pm

re: #141 freetoken

The report of 30,000 guillotines, if true, represent a stunning abuse of our basic rights.

Dunno. They might be those cheap plastic disposable guillotines. Good for one extended intaillable family at most.

144 lawhawk  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:28:18pm

re: #26 Charles Johnson

The complaint issued against the suspects Crawford and Feight highlights just how bizarre the plot was and how unfeasible the weapon they sought to make was. Oh, and is it surprising that the guy harbors anti-Obama sentiments as well:

Two months ago, in a five-part text message monitored by the FBI, Crawford discussed a battery power-supply for the weapon in messages laced with political anger. The text messages were sent on April 15, the day of the Boston Marathon bombing.

“Well, tell it to your treasoness bedwetting maggot in chief,” Crawford wrote, apparently referring to President Barack Obama, according to a transcript in the complaint. “He started bringing the scumbags (here) wholesale as he got in charge. He directed the ins (a former U.S. immigration agency) to start bringing the [bigoted word]s here without background checks.”

In numerous conversations of Crawford’s recounted in the complaint, he expresses awareness that the government may be monitoring his communications and purchases. He developed a system of code words, and said he planned to obtain fake identification listing his name as “Dimitri” in order to purchase items related to the alleged plot. Feight’s code name was “Yoda,” according to the complaint.

An FBI affidavit indicates that as many as eight unidentified people may have been assisting Crawford, including a fellow GE employee described as “Person C.” The complaint implies that some of those individuals may have known at least elements of what Crawford was trying to do.

It sounds like more arrests may be forthcoming as well.

145 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:28:48pm

re: #138 Political Atheist

That’s great. I’m totally onboard with that.

I hope no one has gotten the idea that I’m perfectly OK with the NSA’s metadata collection systems - I’m not. I think this kind of data for US citizens should be as private as possible.

What I am opposed to is the exaggeration and paranoia around these issues.

146 Gus  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:32:26pm
147 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:34:56pm

On the other hand, and this is where it does get murky, I also want the government to be as aggressive as possible about stopping terrorist plots.

That’s where compromises have to be made between privacy and security. But I don’t have a high level of confidence that privacy has been given the priority it should have. So if anything good comes of this it will be a better national discussion about the issue — because it’s not going to go away.

148 Kragar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:35:43pm

re: #146 Gus

Because no one living in the US could possibly be involved in terrorist activity.

149 McSpiff  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:36:17pm

re: #148 Kragar

Because no one living in the US could possibly be involved in terrorist activity.

No, thats when a court order is required.

150 lawhawk  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:36:32pm

re: #147 Charles Johnson

The discussion can only be as good as the facts that all parties to the discussion are using. If the basic facts can’t even be agreed upon, the discussion will collapse into a mess that we’re currently seeing.

151 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:38:07pm

re: #150 lawhawk

The discussion can only be as good as the facts that all parties to the discussion are using. If the basic facts can’t even be agreed upon, the discussion will collapse into a mess that we’re currently seeing.

And this realm is determinedly kept fact-free.

152 darthstar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:39:00pm
153 b.d.  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:39:03pm

re: #116 Gus

That is a pretty good exchange. Especially like this:

Last week #Snowden-Greewald duo had you thinking #NSA follows your every keystroke; now it’s down to “inadvertent collection” #wheresthebeef

I’m starting to think GG publishes articles just so he can have something new to argue about on Twitter

154 Gus  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:45:16pm

re: #153 b.d.

That is a pretty good exchange. Especially like this:

I’m starting to think GG publishes articles just so he can have something new to argue about on Twitter

He’s slowly debunking himself.

155 Kragar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:46:29pm

re: #154 Gus

He’s slowly debunking himself.

He’s going to end up losing an argument to his own sockpuppet.

156 darthstar  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:46:36pm

Here’s a kickstarter project everyone should get behind. We’re in for $200 already.

kickstarter.com

157 GeneJockey  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:47:02pm

re: #150 lawhawk

The discussion can only be as good as the facts that all parties to the discussion are using. If the basic facts can’t even be agreed upon, the discussion will collapse into a mess that we’re currently seeing.

Therein lies the problem at the heart of our increasingly pointless political discourse. In fewer and fewer areas are the basic facts mutually accepted. It ain’t just WRT the NSA. It’s EVERYTHING.

158 Decatur Deb  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:53:40pm

Zimmerman jury chosen: All women, 5 White, one Hispanic.

159 Backwoods_Sleuth  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 3:53:53pm

re: #93 darthstar

Paula Deen’s Bacon-Cheeseburger on a glazed donut, for example.

with extra butter…

160 FemNaziBitch  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 4:09:56pm

EXCELLENT!

Thank you Charles,

On my fb.

161 Joanne  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 4:28:05pm

re: #119 GeneJockey

I’m curious what the Wingnuts who advocate for an amendment to the Constitution to ban flag burning respond to that.

It’s China’s flag being burned. All good to the nutters.

162 drool  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 4:59:39pm

Nicely written, Charles….and it’s very sane and sober. Something that has been lacking in the media on this topic.

163 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 5:15:53pm

re: #26 Charles Johnson


I wonder if Pamela will call this guy a “hero.” He just seems like so her type.

164 otoc  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 6:21:15pm

re: #145 Charles Johnson

I hope no one has gotten the idea that I’m perfectly OK with the NSA’s metadata collection systems - I’m not. I think this kind of data for US citizens should be as private as possible.

What I am opposed to is the exaggeration and paranoia around these issues.

I don’t see how one would think that after reading your close.

In the long run it’s a good thing that people are talking about these serious issues, and gaining some understanding of the kinds of privacy problems that inevitably arise in our age of technology. But some of the reporting, possibly driven by confirmation bias, verges on paranoid fear-mongering—and that’s never a good way to start a national conversation.

That is, unless that one was experiencing more of the signal traits of PPD than confirmation bias. ;)

The problem as I see it (on this point and your later thought), besides the crappy journalism that has extended into the world of some tech writers is the inability of elected officials to fully understand what their laws entail. Case in point, first round comments coming out that showed ignorance of what metadata really was, comments about what was heard during closed briefings that had to be recanted. Even an understanding of what existing due process is in place in terms of what gets reviewed by a court and what doesn’t. Obviously the wide net of the Patriot Act needs to be revisited with an understanding of what the technology means in terms of the law and where the law needs to advance in terms of technology. But that takes savvy elected officials. All I want to know is where the trigger point of me losing privacy comes in, not the methods- which only allow the bad guys to be another step ahead.

I don ned no stinkin reporter to be judge, jury, and executioner in deciding the outcome. Seems like you have done an exquisite job laying the argument out.

165 chadu  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 8:12:26pm

re: #102 freetoken

Mr. Bomb, Bomb, Bomb Iran is concerned:

McCain: Middle East about to ‘erupt’

He so wants the US to get into another war.

Why?

He’s an asshole?

166 chadu  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 8:14:28pm

re: #113 McSpiff

I edit LAES and CALEA telecom standards.

People don’t need to worry, aw’right?

167 chadu  Thu, Jun 20, 2013 8:18:05pm

re: #166 chadu

(self-reply)

If people knew more about the technological hoops intercepts are required to jump through, much less the legal and political issues, they would see this as a non-issue.

It’s not *just* pushing a button.

168 CuriousLurker  Fri, Jun 21, 2013 2:41:03am

re: #45 Gus

Results for guillotines obama

Guillo…? *thud…ROFLOL*

Just when you think the conspiracy theories can’t get any crazier…excuse me, but I think I feel another fit of giggles coming on…


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